It’s been an exciting start to the year for Pathfinders’ Samantha Watton, with a new youngster starting at Gunnedah Preschool.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Watton helped connect Lara-Leigh Went and her mother Jackie Went to the pre-school through the Aboriginal Early Years Program, which aims to get more Aboriginal children enrolled in early childhood education.
Ms Went said she had been hoping to get Lara-Leigh into pre-school to prepare her for school and help her develop socially, but cost was a barrier because she was a single mum.
READ ALSO:
She said Lara-Leigh had been attending GoodStart Early Learning Centre last year but the changes in the child care subsidies in July last year meant she had to cut Lara’s days back.
Ms Watton said she was able to get alongside the Wents to see Lara enrolled.
“I worked with Jackie, assisting with her understanding of the new child care subsidy as Lara-Leigh’s days in care went from two days per week to one day per week,” Ms Watton said.
“During this time I engaged with the Gunnedah Preschool regarding Jackie and Lara-Leigh and we worked together to have Lara-Leigh begin preschool in 2019.”
It’s amazing to see this family so happy since Lara-Leigh started.
- Samantha Watton, Pathfinders
Lara-Leigh had her first day on Thursday and was keen to get inside and meet the other kids.
Her mum said she had done an orientation there ahead of the new term and “loved it”.
“It’s amazing to see this family so happy since Lara-Leigh started and how comfortable Mum feels with her daughter going to such an amazing service,” Ms Watton said.
“Lara-Leigh is settling in well and I look forward to following Jackie and Lara-Leigh’s journey through preschool and into kindy in the coming years.”
